Only sewists know how much and what kind of fabric to buy. Only sewists know when to splurge on tools and notions — and when to buy cheaper options.

That’s why I wrote this guide of 53 (!!!) gifts for sewers and quilters. I want to make it easy for our non-sewing friends, family, and colleagues to choose amazing gifts for sewists.

For your convenience, I sorted the gifts into five categories: Read, Make, Smile, Work, and Wear. So, when you’re asked, “What would you like for (insert gifting opportunity here)?” please share this wish list of gifts for sewing lovers!

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Read: Sewing Books

Crack open a good read about sewing.

(1) I bought and loved this book about sewing active wear by our gal, Johanna Lu of The Last Stitch blog and vlog. It gives you step-by-step instructions for how to level up your me-made active wear — stuff like thumbholes, crotch gussets, and waistband pockets.

(2) “Sew… The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge” contains the sewing advice your mom would have given you if your mom could sew. It’s conversational, warm, and easy to follow. A must for your sewing library!

(6) This sewing bible schools you in the ways of alterations — skills from shortening trousers to shortening the sleeves of a lined jacket. I could see this being a good book for a non-sewing friend, maybe someone who likes to buy second hand.

(7) Demystify sewing patterns with “How Sewing Patterns Work.” The book aims to be a simplified and streamlined intro to pattern making.

Make: Sewing Patterns and Classes

(1) Sewist supreme Erica Bunker has an online class about sewing a moto jacket! Everything she sews looks so profesh.

(2) Sewing kits are highly giftable — everything a sewist needs to stitch a project in one present. Klum House offers a kit to sew its classic Portsmith tote.

(3) Newbie sewists, rejoice! Sewlebrity Mimi G.’s got ya covered with her Sew-It Academy. For about $12 a month, you can access video sewing lessons, a private Facebook Group, and live chats with Mimi.

Smile: Just-for-Fun Gifts for Sewing Lovers

(2)This Bob Ross mug reminds us that there are “no mistakes, just happy accidents.” This is a motto for a maker if I ever heard one. (Speaking of Bob Ross, the Bob Ross game (maybe you’ve seen it at Target) is a personal favorite of me and Hubs; it’s a hoot.)

(4) “Wreck This Journal” is a journal-ish activity book that gives you prompts to trash it! Yeah, you read that right. The idea behind the journal is to get comfortable with rough edges, chaos, and going against the grain. I thought it would be a great present for a creative person who struggles with perfectionism. (This is where I raise my hand to out myself as a perfectionist.)

(5) Um, itty-bitty food plushies to sew? Yes, please. This kit cracked me up; I could see stitching these as palette cleansers between sewing garments. Plus, I think they’d make sweet surprise gifts for the lovable peeps in your life.

(6) Pay close attention to the message on this mug, because it’s true. You think people want you to sew things for them now? Just wait until the apocalypse, when your skill will become currency!

(7) We all can agree that vintage sewing envelope illustrations are straight-up masterpieces. These McCall’s vintage pattern notecards and notebooks are equal parts practical and vintage whimsical.

(13) Meet Amazon’s Choice for “Singer Sewing Machine.” This heavy-duty Singer is $125, and I’ve used it in a sewing classroom. It feels tough, and I think it’d be a good choice for a second sewing machine (when you don’t want to be switching thread) or for a new sewist. People love this machine!

(14) Trust me, you won’t regret having a 1,000 meter spool of Woolly Nylon thread. Woolly Nylon changes the game when it comes to sewing stretch fabrics. Some of it in your bobbin (hand wound, of course) makes your knit-sewing life SO MUCH BETTER.

Wear: Clothes and Jewelry Gifts for Sewists

Show off love for sewing beyond the sewing room.

(1) OK, I need these sewing socks, like, five minutes ago! Dang, those are sweet.

(4) I’m a sucker for retro-inspired T-shirts, and this sunset (or maybe sunrise?) T checks all my boxes. There are neutral colors other than black, should you be interested.

Over to you: What gifts for sewers and quilters do YOU long for in your heart of hearts? What are the best gifts for sewists you’ve ever received? Sound off in comments!

P.S. If you would be so kind, please share this guide of gifts for sewing lovers via email and social media — especially Pinterest (because I know how much time sewists spend over there!). The more eyeballs we get on this gift guide for sewers and quilters, the better gifts we all will receive!

P.P.S. Because I’m all about help, here are some other useful blog posts about sewing from my corner of the internet:

16 comments on “53 Gifts for Sewists: The Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Sewing Lovers”

Girl, this was so extensive & awesome I had to take notes! First, send me your address and I'll send you Crafter's Market–merry Xmas 🙂 2. I think labels are a fantastic idea! 3. I have the Mood book & I'm super curious how it compares to the Fashion Designer's Textile Directory. Fabric is so tactile that I'm curious how descriptions can do it justice. I want a swatch book! 4. Bra kits–If you use one, let me know how you like it. It seems super fiddly and I wonder if it's worth it…because I discovered Natori and they suit my less-than-well-endowed girls spectacularly. 5. I throw the "No Regrets" and "Sewist" enamel pins into the 'Wear' mix–by Colette Patterns and Abby Glassenberg, respectively. I have them both and they're lovely and super fun. 6. I second your recommendation of Craftsy classes. Gail Yellen's class helped me break into this knitter's new, uncharted territory. 7. Creativebug is also an awesome resource. Subscriptions are super cheap–$4.99/mo I think–and you get access to great classes and patterns. It's kind of ridiculous.

Great job on this round-up! I've added things to my "want" list, thank you very much! That mug is adorable;)

2.) I also would like labels because sometimes I put on my shirts too fast and they end up backward. LOL, I wish I were kidding.

3.) One thing I love about the FDTD is that it gets really specific about application. Yeah, there's no substitute for touching, but I like hearing expert advice on how to use fabric. Sometimes I get ideas. Bad ideas.

4.) Will have to check Natori. Am also not terrible busty.

5.) I WANT BOTH OF THESE PINS SO HARD. Enameled pins are having a moment, and I like it.

6.) I did a free Craftsy class on quilting, and it was very nice. Great production value. Will need to investigate Creativebug. Not very familiar beyond I know it's a thing.